Well lets hope 2018 is the year that Atlas gets back on track with production and shipments and perhaps in the coming year a new Masterline announcement that's up to the level of detail of the Trinity cars.
The actual car appears to be light gray, if that's what you're asking, Swafford. So my guess is the Atlas is light gray.
David
Mike Caddell posted:Well here's a can of worms when we start talking about re-sale value, which, of course, is not the heart of this thread, just to be fair to Mike. There are so many factors: Was the car prototype and/or particular paint scheme popular? Is there a shortage of same? Will/are your LHS/individuals pricing based on that scarcity? Will it be a long time before another production run will occur? Is there a buying pool for said item? What is the motivation of the seller? What is the state of the economy at the time of sale? What I may think is a fair price and what you may think is a fair price can be two totally different numbers based on how we individually perceive and interpret these factors. All Atlas cars can't be lumped together because some were extremely popular, others, well, not so much. Nor can they be equally compared to Lionel or MTH based on that Blue/Orange versus Magenta colored box collector's attitude.
As for paying retail, sometimes I do to get the "pick of the litter" as it were and to avoid artificial price inflation and scarcity later if it looks to be a popular item. Other times, I just don't have the money ready to spend. I'll have to risk buying on the after market later. Sometimes that's okay, sometimes not so much. I'm pretty sure we've all experienced this to a certain degree at one time or another.
Al brings up an interesting point about what happens when you need/want to sell. Ultimately, the market factors I've mentioned, at the time of sell, decide.
Finally, O Scale, as has been said, is a smaller market that O Gauge. It's a fact that O Scale hobbyists have to live with or go stark raving insane. So let's hope that Atlas will introduce paint schemes for every taste. Good for their pocket book, great for our hobby. Even with it's imperfections, what a great time to be in the hobby....and as I said on another thread, ....don't like your Atlas Trains? Send me your list cuz' I've got a big shopping list of my own...and Atlas...as Swafford always says "Ready to Buy when you Supply!"
And now, back to our regularly scheduled thread.............
I believe "smaller market for O scale" is a huge understatement, on this forum alone including 3RS it represents 9% of all posts now I realize those numbers are only a very broad indicator of what yearly sales numbers for the O gauge MFGs are but clearly you can see how they see their market. JMO
I sell some of my trains on eBay when I find I don't use them often. It doesn't take long to realize that regardless of manufacturer, you'll be lucky to get half of what you originally paid for the car. In my opinion, this is not the hobby to try to get your money back by reselling.
What I would like to see is for Atlas to finally release the Trinity hoppers with round hatches instead of trough hatches. They indicate the round hatch version on the exploded parts diagram, but to my knowledge they have never released that version. I am going to presume that the parts diagrams are derived from an existing 3d model, although tooling for the additional parts may never have been cut. The round hatches would be more appropriate for mineral and chemical ladings, whereas the trough hatches are typically for grains.
Jim
big train posted:What I would like to see is for Atlas to finally release the Trinity hoppers with round hatches instead of trough hatches. They indicate the round hatch version on the exploded parts diagram, but to my knowledge they have never released that version. I am going to presume that the parts diagrams are derived from an existing 3d model, although tooling for the additional parts may never have been cut. The round hatches would be more appropriate for mineral and chemical ladings, whereas the trough hatches are typically for grains.
Jim
The NAHX car in the very first run had round hatches. It’s a very nice plain Jane car.
RM
They might not have produced the Trinity Leasing TILX version of the 5161 covered hopper.
Andrew
You are correct I have 2 of those cars and I like the plain ones the best, typically I like at least 2 of each car I own.
Like HIBAR,I also like at least 2 of most cars,and I guess that gets me in financial trouble,but while I understand fewer cars can be handled in O Scale vs HO,more is still more to me. Grain cars are a favorite of mine,so in the case of the 5161 Trinity hoppers,I hit 28 cars in the CSX How Tomorrow Moves Scheme. All but 4 are still in the boxes awaiting renumbering and conspicuity stripes. I just place the reflector stripes over the existing manufacturer's stripes.
Tankers are another favorite and I wish more runs of these cars would come out though I think Atlas has been pretty faithful along that line. But I'm broke for who knows how long so that don't really matter right now I guess. Lol
Al Hummel
Alan Hummel posted:Like HIBAR,I also like at least 2 of most cars,and I guess that gets me in financial trouble,but while I understand fewer cars can be handled in O Scale vs HO,more is still more to me. Grain cars are a favorite of mine,so in the case of the 5161 Trinity hoppers,I hit 28 cars in the CSX How Tomorrow Moves Scheme. All but 4 are still in the boxes awaiting renumbering and conspicuity stripes. I just place the reflector stripes over the existing manufacturer's stripes.
Tankers are another favorite and I wish more runs of these cars would come out though I think Atlas has been pretty faithful along that line. But I'm broke for who knows how long so that don't really matter right now I guess. Lol
Al Hummel
What do you use for your reflective striping?
Rich Montague posted:big train posted:The NAHX car in the very first run had round hatches. It’s a very nice plain Jane car.
RM
Thanks for that info Rich. I think I started looking through the old announcements but gave up before getting to the end since I kept seeing trough hatch versions.
Jim
falconservice posted:They might not have produced the Trinity Leasing TILX version of the 5161 covered hopper.
Andrew
That rd name has not been done yet but would not be surprised to see it in the future.
Trinity Leasing versions seem like they would have been an obvious car to offer for production.
Andrew
Attachments
Images (2)
I do not remember seeing FARMLAND as one of the schemes produced.
The FILX covered hoppers were common in CN/GTW trains for several years.
http://canadianfreightcargalle...=flix3671&o=flix
Andrew
You can also get some FLIX restencials as well, several railroads have them. I know IAIS does.
Will Ebbert posted:I sell some of my trains on eBay when I find I don't use them often. It doesn't take long to realize that regardless of manufacturer, you'll be lucky to get half of what you originally paid for the car. In my opinion, this is not the hobby to try to get your money back by reselling.
Best way to make a million in this hobby is to start with two million.
WILL EBBERT,
I use the yellow reflector stripes from Smokebox Graphics. I think you get 490 for $7. When you get them on the car then "burnish" them with a pencil or other type material to get them to adhere well,like they do with dry transfers. I really like them as they have a sticky backing so they peel off the sheet they come on,then I get 1 end started on the car & follow it right on up till it's fully applied then rub it gently and am finished. They REALLY reflect also. I've got some on crooked before & just gently peeled it off and reused it.
Al Hummel
With the Farmland&TILX Schemes that exist,why is Atlas horsing around with schemes that never rolled on the rails?
Like my wife says,"Because they can"? Not a good reason with O Scale already such a small market. JMO
Al Hummel
Alan Hummel posted:WILL EBBERT,
I use the yellow reflector stripes from Smokebox Graphics. I think you get 490 for $7. When you get them on the car then "burnish" them with a pencil or other type material to get them to adhere well,like they do with dry transfers. I really like them as they have a sticky backing so they peel off the sheet they come on,then I get 1 end started on the car & follow it right on up till it's fully applied then rub it gently and am finished. They REALLY reflect also. I've got some on crooked before & just gently peeled it off and reused it.
Al Hummel
You can actually ask Stephen from Smokebox Graphics for 2 other yellow color variations to represent different amounts of time on the rail! Similar to his HO offerings, see photo below. I prefer these over the Microscale decal version simply because they actually do reflect as Al noted. They are a little thicker then a decal but not that noticeable. You can also clearcoat the reflectors once they are burnished onto the car or loco to help blend them in more... Not absolutely required, but does help.
Attachments
Images (1)
Alan Hummel posted:With the Farmland&TILX Schemes that exist,why is Atlas horsing around with schemes that never rolled on the rails?
Like my wife says,"Because they can"? Not a good reason with O Scale already such a small market. JMO
Al Hummel
That is the million dollar question! I know they are aware of the FLIX version and the different restenciled cars because I've made that request numerous times.
Certainly some of the more colorful cars can/should be offered along with the prototype variations, I would see that more as a balance because Atlas has always cancelled those cars with low reservations before they are produced to minimize any potential $$$ loss.
So what other 5161 paint schemes can be applied after imperial sugar?
Since both Gunderson and National Steel make a 5161cf covered hopper both with some build variations from the Trinity I suspect from here on out Atlas will have any number of prototype schemes to use, bear in mind most of these modern cars use reporting marks only.
I would definitely buy one of the Make a Wish containers, especially if a couple bucks of the purchase went to the organization. Same with Hub Group cause containers.
2 more new road numbers of the salmon colored GACX Potash Corp. 5161 hoppers could be produced in each run for 3 or 4 years.
Andrew
Attachments
Images (1)
Besides the great suggestions above... Although all not 100% accurate for the trinity 5161 these would be nice to see released, some totally new, whereas some new #'s, there are handful of others as well that I didn't put in this list, like NS, CORX, SOYX, IAIS Ex FLIX that I would also like to see
Attachments
Images (11)
Glad Atlas is doing these, Any new releases are good for the Hobby. Any scale. Changing times have to go with the flow.
Thanks for the 5161 pic's Mike. I'd like to see Atlas do cars like in my photo, that I hope makes it on this post this time. This CSX version came in between the Grain Express version and the "How Tomorrow Moves" scheme. I'd buy both schemes.
Al Hummel
Attachments
Images (2)
There are so many possible schemes to run on this car, as well as similar 5188 and 5200 cu ft cars. Atlas could also take these cars and make the 2 and 4 bay variations 3281's and 6351's to further a lot of their investment.
falconservice posted:2 more new road numbers of the salmon colored GACX Potash Corp. 5161 hoppers could be produced in each run for 3 or 4 years.
Andrew
We see a lot of these in and out of Sioux City. There is a large potash facility in Ft. Dodge, IA about 120 east of here. We also see a lot of what I call cement size hoppers in the same scheme. As the color of these cars fad they become almost pink.
Dick
Mike DeBerg posted:There are so many possible schemes to run on this car, as well as similar 5188 and 5200 cu ft cars. Atlas could also take these cars and make the 2 and 4 bay variations 3281's and 6351's to further a lot of their investment.
If I am not mistaken Atlas has never built more than one version of any of their covered hoppers,no question the Trinity would be an ideal candidate for more than one variation. It will be interesting to see what the next Masterline car Atlas decides to build in the future. For me the "centerbeam" flat car would be a great Mline project for Atlas even MMW has proposed a brass version of this car. JMO
hibar posted:Mike DeBerg posted:There are so many possible schemes to run on this car, as well as similar 5188 and 5200 cu ft cars. Atlas could also take these cars and make the 2 and 4 bay variations 3281's and 6351's to further a lot of their investment.
If I am not mistaken Atlas has never built more than one version of any of their covered hoppers,no question the Trinity would be an ideal candidate for more than one variation. It will be interesting to see what the next Masterline car Atlas decides to build in the future. For me the "centerbeam" flat car would be a great Mline project for Atlas even MMW has proposed a brass version of this car. JMO
MR did an article a couple years ago on cutting an HO scale 5161 down to two bay. I suppose if you're really handy you could use the leftovers to make a 4 bay. I have no desire to spend MMW kind of money. $120 for a master line car would be doable though.
hibar posted:Mike DeBerg posted:There are so many possible schemes to run on this car, as well as similar 5188 and 5200 cu ft cars. Atlas could also take these cars and make the 2 and 4 bay variations 3281's and 6351's to further a lot of their investment.
If I am not mistaken Atlas has never built more than one version of any of their covered hoppers,no question the Trinity would be an ideal candidate for more than one variation. It will be interesting to see what the next Masterline car Atlas decides to build in the future. For me the "centerbeam" flat car would be a great Mline project for Atlas even MMW has proposed a brass version of this car. JMO
No question I would be in for a 73' centerbeam in the Atlas Master line. 
I'm just saying atlas has a lot of options to bring great new cars to the market.
Mike DeBerg posted:hibar posted:Mike DeBerg posted:There are so many possible schemes to run on this car, as well as similar 5188 and 5200 cu ft cars. Atlas could also take these cars and make the 2 and 4 bay variations 3281's and 6351's to further a lot of their investment.
If I am not mistaken Atlas has never built more than one version of any of their covered hoppers,no question the Trinity would be an ideal candidate for more than one variation. It will be interesting to see what the next Masterline car Atlas decides to build in the future. For me the "centerbeam" flat car would be a great Mline project for Atlas even MMW has proposed a brass version of this car. JMO
No question I would be in for a 73' centerbeam in the Atlas Master line.
yes none of which they will likely exercise.
n.
Prepare instead for another 10yrs of tired models appearing in various but fictitious liveries.
The 'future of 0 scale'.................really?
Prepare instead for another 10yrs of tired models appearing in various but fictitious liveries.
The 'future of 0 scale'.................really?
I tend to agree based on the last current run of non-existent paint/lettering schemes. O Scale's going to really move ahead doing that?
Just My Opinion,of course.
Al Hummel
The Potash 5161 would be a great addition-how many more years do we have to wait on that to come about? JMO.
Al Hummel
I believe the Potash 5161 was offered to GSC members at one time from Atlas so they may be reluctant to rerun that particular paint scheme. Atlas despite production issues has consistently brought out at least one new model in either Tman or Mline in every 12-18 month period, obviously the bulk of each years production is in R/Rs that has always been their business plan across all lines. just saying!
